I had forgotten all about this thread ! WOW lynn that sounds like my DH and I together now almost 38 years. Red what a great story ! You had me racing ahead to confirm what I was sure he was going to say ! Love it. Now Lee...I can't believe you let her go or she you. I was not ready fo that ending AT ALL. Happily single...I am glad for you but I wonder....c

When he complains or Whenever he has one of his spur of the moment b------- fits,(he tries to make you feel bad or guilty for no good reason or some dumb reason that doesn't even need to be as dramatic or bad as it sounds. I find myself getting angry inside and b---- right back at him in my mind. Then I breathe and ignore him for a little bit. so as not to keep the mood, continue as if nothing happened. I too, usually am an easy going person and try my best to keep a good outlook on life. He is better than he use to be. Been married nearly 27 yrs. Quite a few rough spots, but had children. I think the most traumatic for me was when I finally allowed myself to be a person in my own right. I fought for that, He didn't like it, but these days he has accepted that we are two separate enitities. He does'nt make it easy though when he acts like this. Almost makes me have fleeting ideas of contempt. Then I feel bad for that and make them go away cuz I don't want to continue that mode. I do find something to do that does give me a renewed, rewarding and rejuvenated, uplifted peace of mind and helps to face him (or life in general). Every once in while I try to do something for him only that I think he would apreciate. (But sometimes his negativity is still there). But I know I've tried. When he complains give in to those thoughts of feeling angry,...then let go...I think it helps, at least for me it does... Find something you enjoy, a hobby or project that gives you a time to reflect, refresh, rejuvenate and gives you that peace & serenity that helps to face him and life in general.

Nope. Did not take much of a honeymoon trip. We married on a holiday weekend (to get the extra day). Traveled about 100 miles away from the wedding site and stayed our first night together in a small hotel. Used the next day to take a leisurely drive back to our first apartment, and on the third day, set up our living quarters. I had started a new job fresh out of college 3 months prior ot the wedding was was due back on the job the next day following the 3 day weekend. My wife had one more year of college and she was busy registering for classes. We lived on ahoestring that first year. My wife graduated the next year and things began to look up economically. But her first year of work was an internship (required for state certification) that did not pay well. Two years later, we started our family and thankfully by then, my job had begun to pay better - enough to support us and new baby. Since that first year, we have taken a sight-seeing trip almost every year for vacation for the next 30 years. We still take trips, but the focus has broadened because we have seen many of the scenic places that were on our list.

In the past few days, I've received my blocks from Darlene and Marie. Very pretty blocks! I hope to have time to lay them all out for a picture later today or tomorrow. BUT... Marie enclosed something very special with her blocks. Marie lives all the way out in Wyoming, and I'm in PA. My husband's last name is Barkdoll, which it turns out is the mis-spelling of a German name from one emigrant ancestor. So he knows for certain that all with the spelling BARKDOLL, are related. So, on with the story. When Marie was growing up, there was a small community store in her town, and the owners were named Barkdoll. In with my quilt squares, she enclosed a matchbook cover from the 1960's from that store, with the names Paul and Ruth Barkdoll on it. And, as it happens, my husband's father's name was Paul. I can't tell you how much it meant to receive that treasure! Thank you so much, from both of us! Kay